Rich and compelling, really. I was a convert at 25. As for social aspect of my faith... Is there such a thing? (Other than half of my ward are likely social retards)
Yeah I have never felt like I fit in with the "social" aspects of the church either.
When I get together with a group of my friends from work or from the neighborhood, like in our annual back to school barbecue (in 2 weeks btw), it is generally very casual, easy conversations, laughter, and fun, and several of the families that are coming are LDS and we get along great.
When I get together for a "ward activity" I feel like I am on parade more than anything else, and being watched. I get a feeling of fake smiles and underlying tension that, while not in any way overwhelming, is definitely palpable. Like tonight we had a talent show for our kids. My daughters did a few acts and it was generally pretty fun. But the conversations were all kind of uncomfortable. People checking themselves, at once wanting to talk about what is going on in their lives, and at the same time trying hard not to admit to anything that would be less than mormon-like, or take you down a rung on the righteousness ladder, and then also trying to one-up each other in off-hand kind of ways. Even conversations with the same mormons who come to our neighborhood get together feels kind of off somehow. Just really weird. I would take the sinners over the saints for a backyard barbecue any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
edit:
I wanted to add to this. One thing that stands out is with our back to school barbecue it is fun talking about things like the new car one guy got, or another guy's new Harley. We all rib each other good-naturedly, but no one feels like the other is bragging or anything. Just people are comfortable talking about their lives in a real way since it is a safe and inviting environment. One friend who happens to be mormon recently got a new rider lawn mower. He was talking it up at our place a few weekends ago. I ran into him at the talent show and asked him if he was having fun sitting down to mow his lawn. and he just brushed it aside, and acted embarrassed that anyone would accuse him of having a riding lawn mower as if he would be labeled lazy or prideful or something. I don't know, it was just weird, and I am probably reading too much into it. But I just wonder sometimes why can't we feel free to talk about stuff like that without the specter of judgement hanging out there like that. Weird.
